Do you think they could have fitted anymore people on? Referred to as a ‘Puffing Billy’, pictured here is Christchurch’s first, leaving Cathedral Square and heading to the Addington Railway Station – where the Tower Junction shopping centre is now situated. This route through the city was opened on the 5th January 1882, though trams …
Growing up in a strong Christian household, there were a few activities that rolled around every year that I was never allowed to take part in. Halloween was one and every year I would ask in vain if I could go out with kids next door and ‘trick or treat’. No. Completely frustrated with tears …
I was gazing upon one of my favourite Dr. A.C. Barker photos when I noticed something I hadn’t noticed before. Around the mid 1860’s, the Doctor took a photo of some V-huts and most books that sport this historic image claim that it was taken in Papanui. I stumbled upon it again in another book …
“…ships arrived so quickly after each other that the hillside near the barracks became dotted over with every conceivable kind of hut, tent, and whare, not omitting the Irish cabin built of sods”. William Pratt ~ 1900 *Lyttelton’s first storekeeper and baker ~ 1849 *Member of the Christchurch City Council *Co-founder of Ballantynes *image courtesy …
I so remember Victoria Street like this, before the Casino or the Crown Plaza. This photo was taken in 1985.
Colombo Street looking north from Moorhouse Ave in 1945.
POTATOES!!! This is what crosses my mind every time I drive along the Christchurch Southern Motorway and glance towards the Addington Raceway below. I have no idea where I read that the land there once was fields of potatoes but the thought has never left me. Inspired by The Press’ article about the Addington Raceway …
Today, locals and Christchurch visitors can take the pleasant ride up to the top of Mount Cavendish on the Christchurch Gondola. The reward is to be able to look out over the patchwork of the greens and browns of the Canterbury Plains and view its capital: Christchurch…New Zealand’s unbreakable garden city. If you are still …
“I should recommend every gentleman who comes here to wear a mustache. All those who have not done so have suffered very much from sore lips”. Fanny Erskine Fitzgerald ~ 23rd December 1850 *wife of James Edward Fitzgerald, Canterbury’s first Superintendent, founder of ‘The Press’ newspaper and the first Canterbury Association settler to step ashore* …
“One need not be in a large town to see the horror and misery of drunkards. For even here it is enough to make one dread it when one sees the quarrelling and fighting that is going on. There were 20-30 people here (at Port Levy) – mostly whalers from Akaroa”. Joseph Greenwood ~ 25th …
